DS2 (aged nearly 6) has always chewed the top half of his index finger, so much so the skin looks permanently hard and red. It's never bothered me (thought better that than his nails). Lately however he has started chewing his clothes, the neckline of T-shirts and sleeves so much so he's actually biting holes through them. I've watched him doing it and he seems oblivious. When I ask him why and to stop, he just looks at me, I'm not even sure he knows he's doing it at the time.
So any ideas why he might to this and what I can do to stop it apart from telling him to stop every time I see him doing it. I had thought of somehow trying to put pepper on his clothes but thought there was probably a better way .